Stick dispensing and positioning apparatus



Oct. 9, 1951 w. R. WEAVER ETAL 2,570,891

STICK DISPENSING AND PosvITIoNING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 8, 1948-4 5 Sheets-Skeet l Oct. 9, 1951 w. R. WEAVER ET Al.

STICK DISPENSING AND PosITIoNING APPARATUS Filed Nov. s3, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 9, 1951v w. R. WEAVER ET AL STICK DISPENSING AND PosITroNIN APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 8, 1948 md D Wm 6 w W .R M WH w Jo/m M reese W. R. WEAVER ET AL STICK DISPENSING AND POSITIONING APPARATUS oct. 9, 1951 5 sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 8, 1948 mvv,

Q nay/mm /2 v1/@Ever and' f'forng/s Patented Oct. 9, 1951 UN-irso srrArssEV singel PA'lflezlv'r` oFFICE STICK DISPEN SING AND POSITIONING APPARATUS 2.3 claims. (o1. 22e-14o I This inventionrrelates to stick dispensingsfand.l positioning apparatus, and more particularly to: apparatus for positioning handle sticks,.ir 1.` a. mouldtop for a subsequent insertion, into fluid touched..bylthe` hand and inwhich theloading operationis performed rapidlyv andv accurately,.

contained in the compartmentsof. a mould used thereby saying much labor` andtime.

inniaking frozen confections. n

Asconducive to a clearer understanding of'thisA invention it may bepointed youtthat in the manuf fact-ure of confectionslon .stick handles and par,-

- Another. object of.- the invention is the provi` sionof. amachine of .this character inwhichthe transverse,` rows of stick, receiving apertures,l in a. mouldA top.. tray aresnccessively lled. asy the tioularly frozenconfectionssuch as Popsicles,".y ltray is mechanically movedbeneatha stickdis- GroodHumors and-others, characterizedby a.. portion ofl arfrozen confectionxedupon asticlr-` or; handle, itis customary. to pour duid tobe frozen into a plural compartment mould. adapted fort thesimultaneous.freezingof arelatively largeli numberI of such. confections, thenumber varying inaccordance ,withfvarious types of moulds,to posi-tion individual. sticks. in. a. tray-like.mould top-,witha portion .of each-,stick extending below penser..

A further Objectis theprovision Vof, amachine in ywhich a linelof spaedjtrays are positivelyr and continuously advancedthrough the machine by an endless conveyer beneath a stick dispenser having, ejector means timed to drop sticks by gravity inthe transverseA rows of,V apertures in the advancing trays.

Another` object is.v the provision of means ,for

the mouldtop for, insertion intol the liquid .to 2o 'preventing the,y operation of .the stick ejector be..,frozen.thereon, Vto lockjthesticks. in position within the mould top., .to position the `mouldtop o nthe mouldand. pass the assembly, including the so positioned sticks,.to,a.freezingunit. Varimeanswhenjno tray is positioned beneath the dispenser to receive them.

vAnother object is the provision` of means beneath the ejectorto tiltthe sticks 4froma horif ous types of mould topsare known. in the.,art, szontal toa vertical position.

and .the herein, disclosed embodiment. ofr the, infstant inventionis .adapted to bel utilizedV` in con: junction with such. a. known mould top as, that disclosed. in the patent. to, I-I. Siemund`v No.

2,321,632 issued.June,15.19.43,., The mould tope()A of this .patent is .characterizedby three parallelV vertically spaced plates, the central oneof which islongitudinally movableto alimited distance. relative to the others. The plates areeachpro.-

operating/ means to actuate the stick locking means .on the trays. as the latter are filled.

Still other objects .are the provision oi cam.

actuated lever means operable totime thev stick vided with a plurality oflongitudinaland.transe-dispensing operation in synchronism .with the verse rows of apertureswhich,r when the central g plate is in one position of adjustment are` in align--A ment vertically, that is, theholes in the intermediateA platey are, aligned. withY correspondingVY holes in both the upper andlower plates, to perance with the number of .rows of aperturesin the,v

mit the readyfinsertionof sticks in the mouldV top. When the intermediate plate. is moved to another position of, adjustment however the'v sticks, are clamped, or lockedybetween the opg positioning a doubleam inoperative position.

relativelyfto the lever which it actuates in accordtlaYSto be lled, ,means to insure. the uniform positioning of thesticksin thertrays, and various adjustments to compensate for wear and.

to permit keepingthemovable parts inproperly posededges ofthe holesof the upper and lower .i5-timed Operai-,ion

platesand, the holes in the intermediate plate-to;y hold the same securely in vertical position against both vertical andhorizontal displacement. Heretoforethepositioningof sticks in such mould tops has been largelya manualv operation, althoughO'- applicants are aware. that various` devices haver beenproposed for the purposeiof mechanical insertion of sticksinto mould'tops or stickcarriers of varioustypes. Such` devices or' machines'so farasknownto applicantshave not beenf completely automatic andhave hady certain drawbacks including non-.synchronous operation; the requirement of' manual actuation of; the stick dispensing means.. manual shifting ofv the-mould top to `ensureproper spacingandealignment, and

manualgaotuaton of .the-stick locking means on the moulCLtOHS...

The primary object ofthe invention is theprovision` of, acompletely automatic Vmachine for Thejnyentionresidesn the. combinationsof elements,A thealrangements of parts, and features.

ofy construction, all aswill'be. more fully pointedV out hereinafter,A and showngin the accompanying` drawingslwhereincthereis,disclosed a preferred` embodiment ,of this invention.

In the` drawings:

Fig,l 1 isa side elevationalview of one form.vv of Vapparatus embodying features of the instant" invention.

Fig. 2 isv a top'planv view of the construction shownv inA Fig.; 1, portions thereof being brokenV in the'direction indicated/by theV arrows, certainu portions thereofbeing-broken away, and-certain4 3 apparatus utilized in conjunction with the device being indicated by the dotted lines.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side View, partially in elevation and partially in section, similar t0 Fig. 1 but showing certain operative elements in a different position of adjustment, and having certain portions of the apparatus broken away.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional` view taken substantially along the lines 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6a is a fragmentary view of a portion of the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 6, but showing certain of the parts ina different operative position.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fig. 4 as viewed in the direction as indicated by theY arrows.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6 as viewed in the direction as indicated by the arrows.

Figs. 9 and l0 are enlarged perspective views of structural features, and

Fig. 11 is a detail view showing the pin connection for the stick guides.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the numeral 20 indicates generally an elognated rectangular main frame which includes four upright corner posts 2|, of angle iron or the like. The upper extremities of each longitudinal pair of posts are connected by longitudinally extending top members 22, and the lower portions of which are connected by longitudinally extending bottom members 23. Between top members 22 are longitudinally extending members 25 horizontally spaced from each other, as seen in Fig. 2, to form between them a slot or passageextending longitudinally of the frame. The members 22 and 25 are connected by short frame members 25 at the extremities thereof. From each member -26 at its inner extremity depends a vertical member 21, to each pair of 4which is secured a longitudinally extending angle iron member 28, the aligned horizontal flanges of which serve to support a horizontal stick-gauge plate 29 preferably extending longitudinally the length of the frame in plate 29, to carry chain in order to strengthen it. Transversely extending angle iron members 33, 30a are provided between opposite end posts 2l of the frame for additional support of plate 29.

Longitudinal members 23 and one end member 24 serve as a support for a plate 35, upon which is mounted, in any desired manner as by bolts 36, an electric motor 31 provided with a drive shaft 38 carrying a sprocket 39. The motor is preferably a variable speed motor and as seen in Fig. 3 the sprocket wheel is connected to its shaft by an automatic safety throw-'out clutch. The sprocket 39 is adapted to drive an endless conveyer chain 40, provided with a plurality of spaced lugs 4l, both the purpose and spacing of which will be more fully described hereinafter. Chain 4] extends upwardly toY a sprocket 42, mounted on an axle or shaft 43, and secured thereto, as by means of a key 44 (see FigQ') The shaft 43 is journalled in ball bearings 45 and 46, bearing 45 being mounted on a longitudinally extending member 41 positioned between one end posts 2l and an additional vertical post 49 Yextending upwardly from motor plate 35 as seen in Fig. 4. Bearing 46 is mounted on a similar member 48 extending to a similar vertical post 49a as seen in Fig. r1. The jupper portion'of sprocket 42 extends through a. suitable siottl 4|I thereabove, and the chain thence extends substantially the length of the passage through the frame and above plate 29 to the upper portion of a sprocket 53 which extends through a second slot 5Ia in plate 29, and is mounted on a shaft 52. The extremities of shaft 52 are journalled in suitable bearings 53 carried by uprights 54 extending vertically between members 22 and 23 adjacent opposite end posts 2l at the front end of the machine. Rotation of the chain 40 i's in the direction of the arrow as indicated in Fig. l, or longitudinally above the center of plate 29 from the sprocket 5B to the" sprocket 42. l

The inner depending flanges of the angle mem--Y bers 25 have secured to them longitudinally extending track bars or rails 69, upon which are adapted to ride supporting lugs 62 which extend Y outwardly from the opposite sides of stick-hold- Y ing mould top trays 6|. rlwo of these trays which form no part of the instant invention, are conventionally shown in Fig. 5 and reference to said Patent 2,321,632 may lbe had for the details of v4 construction and operation of them, although said trays as marketed under said patent differ slightly from the drawings of said patent with respect to the proportions and arrangement of some of the parts. Tofacilitate an understanding of the manner in which such trays are filled Y and manipulated by the machine, one of Vthe trays in Fig. 5 has parts broken away and in,

When the apertures 1D in plate 6'! are aligned with the apertures 68 and 69 in plates 55 and 65 respectively, as shown in Fig. 5 a stick `handle 1I for a frozen confection may be dropped into three of the aligned apertures until its lower end strikes the gauge plate 29, as shown in Fig. 5. The sticks 1I may be flat or round and the trays are made to hold either 24 or 48 arranged in transverse rows with 4 sticks in each row. When all of the apertures'in a tray are filled with sticks, the plate 6l is shifted lengthwise of the tray to bind the sticks and hold them with their lower ends projecting uniformly below the bottom of the mould top tray because they contact with the gauge plate 29. The slidable plate is shifted by the means shown in said patent andY such means is actuated by a pair of pivoted upwardly projecting and inclined levers l2, the upper ends of which are rigidly connected by a cross bar 13. Means, to be described, are provided for the actuation of levers 12 after all of the rows of apertures in a tray have been filled with sticks.

From the foregoing operation of the portion of the device so far described should now be readily understandable. When the motor 31 is energized, the chain 40 travelsY in the direction as indicated by the arrows in Fig.'1',Y and the mould top trays 5| are so positioned that their lugs 62 rest on iianges or tracks Bil, while the ends of the trays are successively engaged' by lugs 4I which positively push themalong the track in spaced relation. As the/trays aremovedlengthwise ofthe apparatus, stick ,dispensingtinechsaln ism, to be described, rst positions.sticksingthe, successive rows of apertures in each sricge'sv.'`. sive tray, and then mechanism*k also to be de'-v soribedxacts on levers 12 Vof'the lledjkor loaded: trays to lock the sticks against displacement. The attendant removes Vthe, filled and'locked. trays astheyarrive' atthe rear end of the machine;

Referring now to the stiel; dispensing arlvlgl'ppl' sitionring mechanism in detail, it will. be; seenj i hatv two horizontal. 4plates 15 are secured tolongijA tn dinal member 22 on opposite sides'of the'fra'me anldlsupport on each side apair .ofA spaced uprights 16 extending a substantial distancel above the main frame, the opposite pairs of juprights servingto support a transversely extending."horif zont'al plate 11, provided with a plurality ofj'longitndinallyextending taperedhslots 18`V shown inr` Ffigj."u 6'. These slotsare formed in arthickenedrorl 'd' portion 11alof plate 11 and that portion as sliown in Fig. 4 is formed in its top with parallelgrooyes to slidably receive guide bars 19;' lon gitudinallyv movable with respect to plate 11 and transversely movable with respect to frame *20 Said guide bars arel secured as by screws' 80 to a'slidable shutter 8| providedwith ejector slotsV 82"; adapted to be moved into and out of registry withuslots 18: Longitndinally extending blocksi 85are"secured`, as seen in Fig. 4, transversely of portion 11a, of plate 11;v and are provided-with` openings 86l of a size corresponding to a nat side oone of the sticks 1|, eachopening Bti-'being normally aligned with an associated slot-1 82, when theparts are-in one position of adjustment', .as-shown in-F'ig 6. Each block-855haslsecured to it a vertically extendingstickimagazinem the Y forrnrof ywire frame 81 so dimensionelastel accommodate a relatively large vertical stack-ogl'rorizontally positioned sticks, the lower'mst'lo which'lgsticks is normally positioned ina Vslot- 82 ol"` ejector 8|. It'will now be; seen that with the'Y Ipartsv in the position as disclosedirr Eig-l.Y 6- asticl'; 1| restsin each slot 82, relativelyadjacent anfassociatedslot 13,Y and that, uponr rrio /ernjexn oigthe parts to the position disclosedfljig; 6a each slot 82 will be moved to a'position whereby the stick contained therein` may drop bygravityV intoone yo fthe tapered slots 18.. s Y Y At one, end of thev ejector 0| isp aYtransx `/ersel: f V positioned tie plate 90 secured'by. thenscrews- 8 to the bars 19. The other end of ejector;F 81| ov riesa corresponding plate 9,2 which has; a dei pendingJ flange 93 to move ina notch A,at the. ad;-v jacent end'of plate 11. The'endspof ejectorplate'n 8|.,afre also notched as seen in Figs, 21andjt6.; The` depending flange 93 has.securedto..itvavluglqfltg carrying a pin 95 engageable in aslot 991m one arm of a bell-crank lever 91 piyotally 'mog al'son a pin 98 carried bybracket 99fsecu'redco a1 bar, |00 extending between a pair:o,f,'.uprightsrv r'i'singforone plate 15, The 'other arr'noijthe'y bell-crank member 91 is .provided with aslot... |011. through Which extends a pin v|02 .-Acarriedlbyrthe. bi'fnrcated extremity, |03..lof,a rod |0'4which` .extends. downwardly throughthe space betweenV adjacent members 22 andA 25, asrseen; in Fig 6,1'4 It Y will now. be readily apparent thatverticaly movement of the rod |04 'willwbe ,convertfedtoq linear. movement of4 ejector plate. 8| ,i alud'fth tI correspondingly as the. rod ismoved, downwardly frofm the Vpositionshownin Fig.f6.ito the .posi'tior'i` shop/nin Fig. aejector 8|willfbemovedinftner manner previously described to eject,a,stick 111!l into each-slot 18.r

4I-Ivaving. reference now ingeieptor 8|,..todiscnagge sticks intathefslcts. r 'synchro' ismv with the .positioning of.V Stick sectiornfl'lfis slidablyadjustable Within a tubular end oi" `l the other lever section |08 andi is secu'r d vtherein by,k means of a. set screw |09, thjisY tmntbi the. length of the Iever limiten' ac t @if.mbeinpermitted.. Thelever S- mounted for pivotal movement on a pivot ||0 carried in.:

anadjznstable.bearing l l supportedby a bracket redv V1to ,v.a postlglrZ, rising from plate ,35,

A.itsfextremityaroller |10 yto coact with a cam.

rrp; mrlegjparticularlyro @am u1, itwiu.

s, .i berlggconcave, andthe. arrangementbeing suc-lr @Massese-teeth. @rimini l|ngeeesr0l1er l I6;

bly isrllmoved aboutpivot ||0 to naleven @sse mo v.lever.jsecj-,ion llldowllwardlmand conseille), downwardly. in 4such ,mana ams'tofwactnate ejector platel 8|. Conversely` vthegroller., V| I6., ridesin a.,lo w. orconcave'.

ner

portion between points I8, lever l|01is permitted to.r.a,ise. rod.|04. to positionthe'ejectorV as seen" inrlligv, The raising. of the lever |04 is effected by.the..spring meansftobe more fully described h..

wrt .relativelygentleapproaches, but two desig-r nated Uttar,I and spaced apart by asingle point-f llt.. are provided withrelatively. sharpdrops, as

shown in Fig. 5, to effect a correspondingly rapid raising, of certain mechanism also to be described hereinafter. The cam is formed with a space or dwell |9. characterized by the spacing of one of point I8, and the next point ||Ba substantially :s donblertlfre distance between any other two adja. "ceri points.4 The-purpose of vthis dwell will alsoted out hereinafter. As above stated,

be- D oints are .provided for thellling of twelve twelve transverserows of stick apertures in each mouldy Z topor. tray l'||, this being` a conventional number .l incertain types` of apparatus wherein 48 sticks are carried. In other types of apparatus however onlyv six transverse rows of apertures are pro.- vided, 1t.1s necessaryto-use a cam having only points thereon. In practice it has been'` foundexpedient to mount a six point cam on the same hubwith a twelve point cam, and provide relatively simple means for shifting from one cam tothe other, in order to accommodate both stand# 4,. ard types of. trays.` Fig. '7 discloses one means of eectmg such mounting and shifting, wherein the lsite side of nange |25: Hub |21 carries athreaded. bossr.|2i8,-upon.fwhich is screwed a cap |29con'-, taininga `sprir1g|30. Apn |3| extends throught 5: an; aperture atlthertopof cap, |29 anda suitable..

o I .y lsectionj0110i a, two-section.lonvgiy-fv tudinally adjustablejlever|01- One end of leyerl g ljfl, isslid ble in slotted bracket, adJ'llstable` by means ofscrews on n Wellknownmenner The wetend; eyerase ion .lgterminates yin an arcuate. o r ed'portion; |95, which. has .rotatably mounted.

. is provided .with twelve, high points.

natter. VTen-of the points ||8.are provided.

bore in boss |28, being spring biased, as by the abutment of spring |30 against a collar |32 carried by pin I3I, to downward position. AShaft 43 is provided with two spaced sockets |33 and |33a in longitudinal alignment, the arrangement beingsuch that when the pin |3| is seated in socket |33 cam I1 will be juxtaposed to roller |I6 for, a twelve row tray, while, conversely, when' the pin |3| is seated in socket |33a cam |1a will be juxtaposed to roller IIB for actuation of the apparatus in synchronism with six row trays. Obviously the device may be readily shifted from one position to another by retracting pin |3| against the bias of spring |38. It will of course be understood that the cams will vary according to the number of sticks to be placed in the trays to be filled.

"Referring back now to the stick dispensing mechanism and particularly to Figs. 4 .and 6, it will be seen that positioned beneath each of the tapered slots 18 is a tapered guide sleeve or chute |,35, the taper extending in a direction at substantially right angles to the taper of slots 18. The chutes I 35 have closely spaced flat side walls disposed in parallel planes which` extend lengthwise of the machine. Interiorly of each guide sleeve |35 adjacent its front end are positioned one or more transverse guide pins or abutments |36 so arranged that when a stick 1| falls into the guide chute |35 in substantially horizontal position the pins will serve to tilt or direct the stick to substantially vertical position, to facilitate insertion into the openings of mould tops 6|. be seen on referring to Fig. 4 that a dropping stick will engage the upper pin |36 adjacent one of its ends and hence the other end of the'stick will be tilted downwardly.

Beneath'each chute |35 is a movable funnelshaped, or tube-like stick-guiding member |31, the arrangement being such that sticks falling through chutes |35 fall in a vertical position into the guides |31. Each guide is moved vertically from the position of Fig. 4, in which it is shown in stick receiving position to the position shown in Fig. 5. In the latter a stick is shown as being dropped into the openings in the mould top or tray.

It willV The hollow or tube-like guide members have(V their upper ends connected by pivot pins |310, to a cross bar |38 having forwardly extending arms |39 with cylindrical enlargementsY or bosses at their end. As shown in Fig. 10 these bosses have vertical cylindrical bores to receive and slide on vertical cylindrical guide rods |39a rising from the opposite plates 15 and having Ytheir upper ends connected by a cross rod |392) offset rearwardly to clear the chutes |35 as seen in Fig. 4.

The outer faces of the bosses have outwardly projecting pins |390 movable in slots |48 in the rear ends of longitudinally extending levers |4|. It will be seen that as the levers |4| swing, the

group of guides |31 will be moved vertically from the stick receiving position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 5. The pin connection |31a of the guides permit their lower ends to yield rearwardly if struck by the sticks or portions of the tray. The front end of each lever |4| is pivotally connected as by a pivot |42 to a' is pivotally connected as by Ya pin |50 to the rearextremity of 'an arm |5I. The two arms |5| are fixedly secured lto a shaft |52 extending transversely across the main frame and having its end portions journalled in bearings |53 carried by depending members |54 comprising portions of lthe frame assembly.

Shaft' |52, and consequently each arm |5I, is agiaptedto be actuated by means of an arm |60 suitably vsecured to an extremity of the shaft, andterminating'in a roller |6| adapted to be engagel'iy and depressed by the front end of lever |0'1Jwhc`n the-roller ||6 is raised by one of the points of A*cam I1. These parts serve in turn to depress rod |41 to lower guides |31 to the position Yshown in Fig. 5 torguide the dropping sticks intlohthe apertures in the tray or mould top. A relatively heavy coil spring |52 having its extremities connectedto one of members 22 and an intermediate portion of arm |60 respectively serves to bias the mechanism in such manner as to raise the guides |31 to clear the sticks and tray. parts and to keep roller ||6 in contact with the Cam HL;

Y It will now be seen that as each tray 3| is passed beneath the dispensing apparatus, the action of cam ||1 will serve to lower the guides I 31 toward the tray 6| while simultaneously actuating ejector plate 8| to release sticks 1| into the guides. y A low portion of the cam surface will then cause raising of the guides to the position indicated in Fig. 4 for the above mentionedpurpose. The relatively sharp drop adjacent` the vpoints or teeth ||8a, as previously mentioned, is adapted to provide relatively rapid rising of guides |31 in order to permit them to clearrespectivelythe transverse bars 13, and the handle portions 63a. at proper intervals. In the illustrated embodiment shown in the drawing, there are seven lugs 4| equally spaced along the 21H) links` of chain 40, and the arrangement is such, Vand cam ||1 so synchronized, that, one complete revolution thereof permits the passage of one tray beneath the stick dispensing mechanism, each tooth actuating the mechanism to lill one transverse row of apertures. The space ||9 on the cam is so positioned as to preclude the operation of the dispenser device between succeeding trays. In other words, space ||9 is adapted to be engaged by roller I6 at that point of operation at which a lug 4| passes beneath stick guides |31.

It may occasionally happen that an operator will for one reason or another fail to position a mould top tray in advance of each lug, in whichV event the dispenser would drop sticks when thereV is no'tray inv position to receive them. Under such.`circumstances it is desirable that the dispenser be prevented from operating. Locking mechanism has therefore been provided. Such means may take the form of a plate |15 mounted on supporting members |16 and |11 secured to the frame assembly as seen in Fig. 1. Plate |15 carries a pair of bearing brackets or lugs |18 and |18a through which extend slidably the reduced end portions |19, and |19a of an open rectangular frame or plate |88. The opening in frame I8!)l which servesY as a locking member, is above an opening in plate |15 and through both openings extends the lower portion of rod |94 as seen in Figs. 6 and 9. VThe end portion |19 is nat faced and passes through a similarly shaped opening'in bearing |18 to prevent member |80 from' turning; A spring |8| surrounds the other end portion |19a exteriorly of its associated bearingI18a andY serves normally Vto disalign'or shift actuatedbythe. side of a ;.trayipassing` dispenser. Av stop lug'.I,88.,0nl"1`ubLI.8 l, to` Bfngagethe bearing I'Iilato, limitlswinginggfof thefarmf under theactiomof spring IlfVl/lhen a tray is passing underlthe `,disp.ensng mechanism, .the .arm is move. V,against thelftensionlof the tspringV and thelocki operative locis'itionv shovvn p1ate;..but when notrays--in positiomtof-receive the sticks, spring I8I moves .arm |85 .inwardly to .dispose said .locking plate invthepathtofydown- Ward movement' (of `,stop vcollar ,-I`82, .sand `hence preventY actuation of. the` ,ejector when.:lever .-.II)1 ,tries` to'4 pull itdown. Y

`l Means are provided f to :permit the continued oscillatory movementgoflevers-|701andecontinued operation of thek machine,u eventhough VtheflDQking means just described are effective topreclude downward ,movementfof '-rod.IOII. 4;'Ilf1espring fitting H ..previously--mentioned comprises,

best shownin-Fig..,8, a;tube.or sleeveV L90 secured as `byta pin I9I..,tothe 1lewer extremity @f4-0d |414, and .provided- -zwithalverftica-L slots: I 92 sin; vfthesides thereof. A cylindric.al\,-rr1em,bern I93;.is positioned Within' the lower :end of. the ,tube` and isfslidable withinf-.limits imposed =by-s;apin,;l94,s Y ichextendsvthrough -a transyerse.-op enir,1g:1&5 'nn-the stem.- :or--member,fl 93. rThe 1;. erjlclsof pin QI-9 extend outwardly @through the`v slots :rl-92 tto seat Withinfan annulardlange I96aofa-.collar ,:sl id&ble on the tube. .-The collar,.is alsoprouided Withfan outwardly Aprojecting flange 4.91:; `egailflst swhh one end-of a, coilfpring -I 99; is seated. t 'lfhe.-,other end'. offspring yH19 isadaptedftofiseat against a slidable collar 200,Y heldwingposition why.- a stop ila-nge 2M at vthe-extremity'.-of,tubeid. yA11591- lar.-l 2,132 integral `with -member 4,93 -s erves,gtopreclude :.undue strain'y on ,land :consequently the shearing -offioffpin 194. -The levi/er; extremity .of member |93 is reduced and disposed in an, Qp,en ingin lever H31. l It hasa bore.12 rthroughwhich passes .previously describedJV 1i iv otpin- L06. a lyieldable 4connection is providedbetvveenelever IU'ILand rod-'IM sojthat lever- 101 isyfreetomove upwardly orA` downwardly A.when -rod f M14 Y is `Al.inlockedposition. When .th ev parts are. in unlocked position the resista'ncepf springQISS-Fis suicient to` cause the assen-lblyto act .as af unit -landgimpart the, movement. Aofflthel lever'. to.v vthe (rod, A114. t

'Having reference lnow... toithegpreviously.,mentioned. means orcla'mping- @the.-sticksinposition trays. Ii! `by means ,-0lleyerl12-f-13.itlwilllbe seen that, asybest 'shovv'nirljliigs.` 1 and.,3,.,a. shaft 205 extendsV transverse'ly"of thegframa theex-v tremities thereof being 'journalled inlsuitable bearings 206 carriedbumemberan. 'Thel'shaft 205' has `xed to Lit, near, oneen l.`a, sprocket, 21.11v adapted to be rot'ated,by.means.,of,.il.hairg.208 whichgiauremlso engages-asirocketnoe; secured by ske'y zlo'tosiiaftts." shaft'zns darriesat a central point a cam or eccentric'elementJII which makes one complete rotation ,with each complete rotation of shaftv43fsprockets 201 and 209 having the same number of teeth. 5It ,will thus be seen that eccentricZgII vis rotated into its low position showed in Fig. 5as across bar 'I3 of lever 'I2 approachesthe same; and that, While in its downmost position Will bear against cross bar'13 to move lever 'I2-to its locking position, thus sliding the intermediate plate 61 to clamp the sticks 'Il in a flled'tray'securelyrin related assembly. Subsequent rotation of cam l2I I will permit the clearance of--handle bars 63a of the tray. Means are providedeto prevent tilting ofthe tray during the action ofvcarn v2I Lon the-'bar "I3, -and f may 'take the form of guard flanges 2 I5 having-tapered extremities ivZ-IIf-and positioned adjacentthe ends of `and abovefthe tracks or rails 60. *The-tray lugs-62 passunder they flanges I`2-I Seto--precluflertilting Aofthe trayf 'It is-believed that, fromY the JYforegoing; the operation''off-the `device should be :sufficiently clear iasn to obvia'te the necessityforg-furthen detailed description 1n `brief summary it ma'ysb'e stated that ingusingthe fri'pparatus;themagazines 181 l -arejrst g lled by dropping packaged sticks -into them and removingl lthe bands which hold, Vthe sticks-inv packaged` form, the motorvis started after the cam for thetypeoftrayto-be used has been properlypositioned, and the trays, in openor unlocked'position areL placed successivelyon the rails 6I)in advance of-eachj lug 1I.

As` the lugs ,slide the traysbeneath the, dispenseA apparatus, for. the. dispensing and positioniilggpi eration, relativelygsimple'. and inexpensive ato.,

tirelyaandContinuauslm a.-.line.1.0f..spae

manufacture Iand operate. and lwhichaccom plishes,all. the obiectsof this` invention. v

...As,manyfembodiments ,may ,be-:made of ,this inventive concept, and ngas; .manyr modifications may., be.. made .in the Y preferred--embodiment;herne. inbeforeshown and described, it is to be understood ithat, all;4 rnatterslfierein Vis tobe interpreted. merely as.. illustrative and. not finr a {limiting} sense.

,Whatffisplaimedfim ,A

.,l.. Amachine .for lSpensing and. posit ioning sticks in mold top trays haring,.spaced,gows"` f. snaeedpstick receiving..aperturea,comprising ein combination.: an., elongated .l frame, aA A stick" dis-1. penser: .supported .transuerselygaboye.saidg .frame andhavingarowfof stick.magazinesseorrespndq ing in number and spacinglto .theqapertures a row,..in..the tray; ejector means A-forsittin-1taneouslyleiectinsf-a stienirom. .each-.f .said masa zinea. meansfon-supporting and.rnoying.,poshI .trays v longitudinally of said fratriek beneath "said disaardse;

11 penser along a path transverse to the line of said magazines, means for guidingv the ejected sticks as they drop by gravity from said ejector means, said guiding means including a row of vertically movable guide members to receive and direct the sticks into the apertures of a moving tray, said tray moving means including a power vdriven endless conveyor for positively moving the line of trays, means operated in timed relation with said conveyor for actuating said stick ejector means each time a row of tray apertures is moving under said stick guiding members, and means for actuating said members in timed relation with the operation of said stick ejector` means.

-2. A machine for dispensing and positioning sticks in mould top trays having a plurality of transverse rows of stick receiving apertures comprising in combination, an elongated frame, tracks extending lengthwise thereof for supporting and guiding trays, a driven endless conveyer on said frame and having means to engage and move the trays along said tracks, a dispenser supported above saidframe and having a transverse row vof magazines, said magazines having vertically extending members for holding vertical rows of superimposed, horizontally-positioned sticks, ejector means for ejecting the lowermost stick in each of said magazines, means vassociated with said dispenser for tilting the ejected sticks to vertical positions, and means for actuatingy said ejector means in timed relation with the movement of said conveyer to permit the rows of ejected sticks to drop by gravity into rows of vapertures in trays being moved by said conveyer.

3. 'Ihe structure of claim 2 in combination with vertically movable stick guides to receive the ejected sticks fromsaid tilting means and guide them into tray apertures, and means for actuating said guides in timed relation with the movement of said conveyer. 4. The structure of claim 2 in combination with. means for preventing the actuation of said ejector means when no tray is beneath said dispenser, said last-mentioned means including a movable member in the path of and actuated by a tray passing beneath the dispenser. 5. The structure of claim 2 in which the apertured trays have means for locking. the sticksin the apertures, together with means to actuate a sticklocking means ona stick-loaded tray, said actuating means including a rotary memberA mounted on said' frame between .the discharge end of the latter and said dispenser.

6. The structure of claim 2 in which said;

tracks are horizontally spaced and said conveyer is an endless chain with its upper stretch disposed between and below said tracks, said chain havingl spaced lugs which form said tray engaging means, and in combination with .a horizontal stick-gauge plate supported by said frame and` extending longitudinally thereof beneath traysA cam, and means operated by said lever for actuating said ejector means.

8. The structure of claim 2A in combination with a cam and lever mechanism operated in synchronism with said conveyer, means operated by said mechanism for actuating said ejector means, vertically movable stick guides to receive stick from said turning means and guide' them into tray apertures, and means operated by said mechanism for actuating said stick guides.

9. The structure of claim 8 in combination with means for preventing the actuation of said ejector means when no tray is positioned beneath said dispenser.

10. In a machine for dispensing and positioning sticks in a mold top tray having spaced rows of spaced stick receiving apertures, the combination of a dispenser having a row of magazines for holding vertical stacks of horizontal-disposed superimposed sticks, stick ejector means associated with said magazines for simultaneously ejecting the lowermost sticks horizontally from the magazines, a plurality of chutes to receivethe ejected sticks and turn them to vertical positions, said chutes being alined in a row and spaced from each other in correspondence with the spacing of the apertures in each row in a tray, means for supporting and moving a tray positively and continuously beneath said dis- .penser to bring the rows of apertures in such tray successively into vertical alinement with said chutes Vas the tray is being continuously moved, and means operated in timed relation with said tray moving means for actuating said stick ejector means each time a row of tray apertures is moving under said chutes, whereby the groups of sticks successively ejected will drop by gravity through said chutes and will be deposited in successive rows of tray apertures while the tray is in motion. p

11. The structure of claim 10l in combination with a row of vertically movable stick guides to receive the sticks from said stick turning chutes and guide them into tray apertures, and means for actuating said stick guides in timed relation withV said stick ejector means. Y

12. v'lr'he structure of claim 10 in which said tray moving means includes an endless con- Veyor and in which said actuating means for said stick ejector means includes a rotary cam driven synchronously with said conveyer and having a plurality of points corresponding in number to the number of rows of apertures in a tray, a lever actuatedby said cam, and means actuated from said lever for actuating said stick ejector means.

13. Thestructure of claim 12 in combination with a rowrof vertically movable stick guides to receive the sticks from said stick turning chutes and guide them into tray apertures, and means actuated from said lever for actuating said stick guides in timed relation with said stick ejector means.

14. The structure of claim 10 in which said tray moving means includes an endless conveyer and in which said actuating means for said stick ejector means includes a cam actuated lever means, thelatter comprisinga lever carrying a roller and a cam rotated synchronously with said conveyer, said cam having two laterally spaced plural-,pointed cam surfaces either of which may be engagedby said roller yto actuate said lever, said cam surfacesV having different, numbers of points according .to the. numbers of rows of apertures in trays to be loaded by the machine, said cam surfaces .and said roller being relatively movable to permit either cam surface to engage tion'of a dispenser havingarow otmagazines.

13 for holding vertical stacks of horizontally-disposed superimposed sticks, stick ejector means associated with said magazines for simultaneously ejecting the lowermost sticks horizontally from the magazines, a plurality of chutes to receive the ejected sticks and turn them to vertical positions, said chutes being alined in a row and spaced from each other in correspondence withthe spacing of the apertures in each row in a tray, means for supporting and moving positively and continuously a line of spaced trays beneath said dispenser along a pathtransverse to the line of said chutes, said last mentioned means including a power driven conveyer, and cam actuated lever means voperated in timed relation with said conveyer for actuating said stick ejector means, Said cam actuated lever means including a lever operated by a rotary cam, the latter having a plurality of points corresponding in number to the rows of apertures in a tray and also having a dwell corresponding to the spacing between trays in a line of trays, whereby as each successive tray passes under said dispenser said cam. Will make one revolution and said stick ejector means will be actuated only when a row of tray apertures is passing under said chutes.

16. In a machine for dispensing and positioning sticks in mold top trays having spaced rows of spaced stick receiving apertures, the combination of a dispenser having a row of magazines for holding vertical stacks of horizontally-disposed superimposed sticks, stick ejector means associated with said magazines for simultaneously ejecting the lowermost sticks horizontally from the magazines, a plurality of chutes to receive the ejected sticks and turn them to vertical positions, said chutes being alined in a row and spaced from each other in correspondence with the spacing of the apertures in each row in a tray, means for supporting and rmoving positively and continuously a line of spaced trays beneath said dispenser along a path transverse to the line of said chutes, said last mentioned means including an endless conveyer to positively move the trays, cam operated lever means operated in timed relation with said conveyer for actuating said stick ejector means only when a row of apertures in a moving tray passes under said row of chutes, the rows of ejected sticks dropping by gravity into the rows of apertures in trays while the latter are being continuously moved by said conveyer.

17. The structure of claim 16 in combination with a row of vertically movable stick guides to receive the sticks from said stick turning chutes and guide them into tray apertures, and means for actuating said stick guides in timed relation with said stick ejector means.`

18. The structure of claim 16 in combination with means for preventing actuation of said stick ejector means when no tray is beneath said dispenser in the line of trays being moved by said conveyer, said actuation preventing means including a movable member in the path of and actuated by a tray passing beneath said dispenser.

19. The structure of claim 16 in which the apertured mold top trays have means for locking the sticks in the tray apertures, together with means for operating the stick locking means on a stick-loaded tray after the latter has passed from beneath said dispenser, said operating means including a rotatable member movable in the path of movement of a portion of the stick 14 locking means to actuate the latter to stick locking position.

20. A machine for dispensing and positioning sticks in mold top trays having spaced rows of spaced stick receiving apertures comprising in combination an elongated frame, a stick dispenser supported transversely above said frame and having a row of stick magazines corresponding in number and spacing to the apertures in a row in the tray, ejector means for simultaneously ejecting a stick from each of said magazines, means for supporting and moving positively and continuously a line of spaced trays longitudinally of said frame beneath said dispenser along a path transverse to the line of said magazines. means for guiding the ejected sticks as they drop by gravity from said ejector means, said guiding means including a row of vertically movable guide members to receive and direct the sticks into the apertures of a moving tray, said tray moving means including a power driven endless conveyor for positively moving the line of trays, a rotary cam driven synchronously with said conveyer and having a plurality of points corresponding in number to the number of rows of apertures in a tray, a lever actuated by said cam, means actuated from'said lever for actuating said stick ejector means each time a row of tray apertures is moving under said stick guiding members, and means operated from said lever 'for actuating said stick guiding members in timed relation with the operation of said stick ejector means.

21. The structure of claim 20 in which said lever carries a roller and said cam has two laterally spaced plural-pointed cam surfaces, either of which may be engaged by said roller to actuate said lever, said cam surfaces having different numbers of points according to the numbers of rows of apertures in` trays to be loaded by the machine, said cam surfaces and said roller being relatively movable to permit either cam surface to engage said roller.

22. The structureof claim 20 in combination with means for preventing actuation of said stick ejector means when no tray is beneath said dispenser in the line of trays being moved by said conveyer, said actuation preventing means including a movable member in the path of and actuated by a tray passing beneath said dispenser.

23. The structure of claim 20 in which the apertured mold top trays have means for locking the stic'ks in the tray apertures, together -with means for operating the stick locking means on a stick-loading tray after the latter has passed from beneath said dispenser, said last mentioned operating means including a rotatable member movable in the path of movement of a portion of the stick locking means to actuate the latter to stick locking position.

WILLIAM R. WEAVER. JOHN M. BREESE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Griln et al. Aug. 5, 

